Derby-born Aboriginal woman to head Environs Kimberley, promises to protect Country for future generations

A Kimberley Aboriginal woman has been unanimously appointed the new chair of Environs Kimberley, with a vision to continue the organisation’s strong legacy and safeguard her country for future generations. Born in Derby, Natalie Davey spent her early years in Broome and Noonkanbah, where she remembered living in a bough shed without running water or electricity on the banks of the Fitzroy River. Currently residing in Fitzroy Crossing, Ms Davey calls the riverside community her hometown and said her birth totem, the barramundi, was the foundation of her connection and responsibility to her country. “I was born into looking after Country, it is just a way of life, I am passionate about sharing and caring for the world around me,” she said. A Bunuba Ranger for five years, Ms Davey coordinated the team in her final year and led activities involving national and conservation park management and maintenance. “We led fire management, maintenance like fencing, weeding and feral animal control, biodiversity and crocodile surveys and helped to create a Bunuba seasonal calendar and healthy Country plan,” she said. Ms Davey said she had been aware of Environs Kimberley from the start. “I was in high school when the campaign against damaging the Fitzroy River began,” she said. “I was so grateful for that group to band together for the protection of the river that gave me life.” In recent times, Ms Davey has been involved in EK through partnerships with the Bunuba Rangers and projects such as “Voices of the River.” Ms Davey said EK ran a range of on-ground projects with local organisations, which used Aboriginal and Western science to look after Country. “We monitor the diversity and health of Country in projects such as sea grass monitoring in Roebuck Bay and we work with around nine different Aboriginal Kimberley ranger groups from desert to sea on various projects,” she said. “We work with the rangers to conserve threatened and culturally important species such as the greater bilby, night parrot, great desert skink and black-footed rock wallaby.” Ms Davey said she was excited and apprehensive to begin her new role. “I am eager to take responsibility for one of this country’s successful regional conservation organisation, which has worked hard to protect the Kimberley over the past 25 years,” he said. “For half my life, EK has stood strongly and successfully to protect Country, it feels right to continue the legacy.” Ms Davey said she would promote the value of protecting Country to future generations. “My vision is that our first peoples’ values around looking after Country become values supported and practised by mainstream society,” she said. Ms Davey will take over from Kate Golson who led for 12 years, during a period of environmental protection campaigns and building partnerships with traditional owners. Ms Davey said she would continue to bring the heart Ms Golson put into the role. “Her dedication and hard work over the last 12 years has steered Environs Kimberley’s growth, with strong governance and management combined with creative and innovative practices,” she said.